Illudins are fungal sesquiterpenes that, through their unique DNA alkylating actions, have anticancer potential. Illudin S is a cytotoxic illudin that is converted, intracellularly, to metabolites that cause a complete block of cell cycling at the G1-S phase interface, particularly in myeloid and T-lymphocyte leukemia cells (IC50 = 6-11 nM). T-lymphocyte leukemia CEM cells that are resistant to doxorubicin , epipodophyllotoxins, and 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine display only 2-fold increased resistance to illudin S. Illudin S metabolites induce DNA damage that is not repaired by the processes that counter conventional DNA alkylating agents.
